Set in a small group of individual, privately owned holiday homes, this pretty chalet-style, dog friendly beach house sleeps six. Appointed for a carefree seaside lifestyle, Driftwood has good sea views from private west-facing decking and is a very short stroll from Gwithian’s stunning beach, wild sand dunes and the Cornish coast path.
Imagine the perfect traditional wooden beach chalet in Cornwall with all the comfort and equipment you would possibly need for a self-catering holiday. That’s Driftwood Beach Chalet. Set amidst miles of unspoilt sand dunes, minutes from the magical beach of Gwithian, with sweeping views across the bay to St Ives and Godrevy lighthouse, Driftwood will transport you to a simpler time and place, but with all the comforts and little necessities you need on holiday.
Driftwood Beach Chalet is a small beach chalet, right on the coast at beautiful Gwithian Towans in St Ives bay, overlooking the beach on the dramatic north coast of Cornwall. Originally built in the 1930s, Driftwood has been carefully restored and extended to retain all of its original painted wooden charm, but with the furnishings and facilities that discerning guests expect. The chalet can sleep up to six in two double rooms and a bunk bedroom. We have tried to ensure that Driftwood Beach Chalet is self catering accommodation in Cornwall at its very best.
When you arrive you will find parking for two cars behind the chalet. You will enter into a light and comfortable open-plan living space, which opens via large floor-to-ceiling patio doors onto a decked area with sun chairs and views of Godrevy lighthouse and St Ives. In the lounge area you will find a large sofa for chilling out, original artworks by local artists decorating the walls.
Throughout the chalet you will find the floors are either stripped or painted pine, with casual rugs for extra comfort giving Driftwood an easygoing and relaxed feel. You’ll find some unexpected things like two full size surfboards for you to use tucked above the open rafters, lots of beach and board games, a guitar, and drawing materials so you will never be short of things to do, whatever the weather.
The dining area can accommodate at least six in comfort around a pine table. You will even have under-seat heating in case the nights are chilly. The kitchen, whilst small, is generously equipped, as many of our guests are enthusiastic cooks. There is a large fridge and freezer, microwave, gas hob and electric oven, blender, toaster, espresso pot and all the utensils you can imagine. A ceramic sink is positioned with a view to St Ives so that even washing up by hand can be a pleasure!
The main double bedroom has plenty of space, has a king-size bed and can accommodate a travel cot (which we can supply on request), the second double room is small but charming and cosy with a comfy full-sized double bed and fitted wardrobe. Children or younger adults love our bunk room which has a sturdy safety rail on the top bunk. All of the bedrooms are furnished with comfortable duvets, plenty of pillows, organic cotton bed linen, and beautiful quilts, throws or blankets. And you will find nice touches like shelves of books, reading lights and blackout blinds to make sure you get a good sleep even when the holiday sun comes up unreasonably early!
Driftwood has a wooden and tiled wetroom-style shower indoors, as well as a hot and cold outdoor shower for getting out of wetsuits in comfort.
Outside the chalet
Stepping out through the sun-doors you will find yourself on a decked area looking over an open grassy area towards St Ives Bay. To the side of Driftwood is a small but private garden complete with barbecue and an outdoor dining area, which catches the sun late into the afternoons and early evening as it sets across the bay and disappears behind the horizon off St Ives.
You’ll also find a hot and cold outdoor shower, a clothes drier and a storage shed, plus recycling and composting facilities, to help make your stay as eco-friendly as possible.
Things we love…
People fall in love with Driftwood. Not because it’s big or posh, but because it’s intimate, authentic and well thought out. It’s a little bit of classic Cornish seaside atmosphere, lovingly restored and modernised. But of course it’s the location that makes it extra special.
Many of our guests have returned to Gwithian again and again, bringing children, then bringing grand-children. The beach is just breath-taking – whether at low tide in summer with its vast expanse of sand and scores of rock-pools, in the autumn when the new swell rolls in from the Atlantic attracting surfers, paddle-boarders, and kite-surfers alike, or in the depths of winter when high tide crashes against the cliff faces and salty spray reaches as far as the chalet windows (thank goodness for double glazing).
